We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Bagras’s Wish
Peace has returned to Dragon Peak.
The earth’s dragon veins have returned to their proper flow, and the tributaries that colored the atmosphere have also regained their calmness.
The spirits, still seeming not tired of playing, were dancing around or starting to prepare pranks, but I can leave that to Yufilia, Nina, and the energetic ones. They should be fine.
“It’s alright, it’s alright.”
And so, I face Bagras.
“Well then. I believe you need to be punished from now on. However, it is not I who should decide your punishment.”
Even if I am the Meishu of Dragon Peak, I cannot afford to move forward ignoring the victims.
Therefore, I called the Earth Dragons.
But unfortunately, the Earth Dragons who were flying along the dragon veins up until just before are not coming to my side.
“Revalia, thank you for holding Bagras down.”
That’s because.
That’s right. If I am by Bagras’s side, then Revalia, who is holding Bagras down to the ground, is also right beside me!
“What were you hiding and doing?”
“Uh, well?”
“What do you mean, ‘When I come it’s the end’?”
“That is…”
“Surely you weren’t holding a trial for the Dragon Race, following the legend of the Princess of Dragons, using me as a pretext?”
“It’s all been found out already!?”
Why did Revalia see through everything?
Laira, I’ll have you explain in detail later, okay?
Putting that aside for now.
“Revalia, could you let Bagras go?”
If Revalia keeps holding Bagras down like this, the Earth Dragons whose companions were killed will be afraid to approach, you see.
From Bagras, I can no longer feel any presence of him trying to resist us.
Since he called himself a Great Warrior, he seems to properly understand the mindset of a loser.
“Hmph,” Revalia snorted disdainfully and flapped her four wings, large and small.
Then, she took Laira in her mouth and flew off fiercely.
“Hahahaha, Lord Elnea!”
“The true King of Dragons has kidnapped the Princess of Dragons!?”
I shouted, “To everyone, this is the prelude to the second act of the trial!” but none of the Dragon Race people followed Revalia.
None of the Dragon Kings either.
“Elnea, set Laira aside for now and let’s proceed with our business.”
Being scolded by Mistral, I gathered myself and summoned the Earth Dragons again.
Bagras, freed by Revalia, calmly awaited the Earth Dragons, and they calmly approached him.
“It seems the Dragon Race has also suffered damage, but I believe the Earth Dragons, whose companions were killed, have the priority to punish Bagras. What do you think?”
I’m moving forward with things on my own, but I need to confirm the will of the Earth Dragons.
When I asked, an Earth Dragon among them, one with a particularly large physique, rumbled deep in its throat.
“Certainly, our brethren were killed by this one.”
The Earth Dragon glared down at Bagras.
But Bagras looked up without fear. Perhaps that sort of fortitude was fitting for a Great Warrior.
The two exchanged gazes for a moment.
The Earth Dragon rumbled deep in its throat again.
“The deceased, it seems, overlooked his malice due to their complacency in cooperating with the Dragon Race’s trial. However, no matter the circumstances, they died as a result of falling behind the Dragon Race. This is Dragon Peak. A world of the survival of the fittest. Therefore, it would be a mistake to impose retribution on those who died due to immaturity upon the victor.”
The Dragon Race has its own pride and dignity.
Even though they were careless, they probably don’t want to take revenge on their kin who lost to the Dragon Race in the form of “punishment.”
If the Earth Dragons were to retaliate against Bagras, they would choose to fight fair and square. But before that, Revalia had already defeated Bagras.
Their pride does not allow them to attack someone whom the Dragon King they recognized has already dealt with.
“So, the Earth Dragons are satisfied with that, are they?”
When I asked, the others besides the representative Earth Dragon also rumbled in agreement.
“In that case,” and I turned my attention to the Dragon Race people.
“The Earth Dragons have decided not to hold Bagras accountable for the death of their companions, deeming it a result of the survival of the fittest. But can the Dragon Race accept that decision?”
Although there were no fatalities, the Dragon Race people also have the right to blame Bagras.
They were also disturbed during their sacred warrior’s trial.
To my question, Barbara stepped forward.
It seems Barbara was the one who led everyone during this trial.
“Indeed. Nared did suffer a serious injury, and we were also inconvenienced. Considering that, Bagras’s actions are unforgivable.”
But, Barbara said with her usual cheerful laugh.
“If the Earth Dragons say it’s alright without punishment, then the Dragon Race will follow suit. It’s a world of survival of the fittest, right? Then we must follow the opinions of the strong. Besides, the strongest one here is you. If you, who are the strongest, respect the will of the Earth Dragons, then we will follow without complaint.”
From the beginning, I had entrusted the judgment to the Earth Dragons.
If Barbara, who spoke on behalf of the Dragon Race, says it’s fine, then the will of the Dragon Race is also decided.
Just as I was about to conclude, the Dragon King, Id, interjected.
“Regarding the punishment for his past actions, my decision is not dependent on Barbara-nee-san, Elnea, or the Earth Dragons.”
But, Id said, staring at Bagras.
Bagras, as a Great Warrior, has a superior physique, and even without drawing power from the dragon veins, he has more presence and ability than an ordinary warrior. However, he looks much smaller than Id.
Moreover, Id, with his tattooed shaved scalp, looks more menacing.
The warriors in training were not intimidated by Bagras’s appearance because they knew even more formidable Dragon Kings like Id and Sestarinis.
“As Barbara-nee-san said, ideally we would welcome kin from foreign lands. However, we cannot allow a troublemaker to remain in Dragon Peak as he is.”
Id pointed out mercilessly that while this issue is resolved, Bagras might cause another problem. Everyone present could not deny this possibility.
“I will not hold him accountable for this crime. But he is not permitted to remain in Dragon Peak. That is the decision of the Dragon Kings who protect Dragon Peak.”
Bagras, who was declared this by Id, did not show even a flicker of unease in his eyes.
“I understand. I consider myself fortunate to be alive, and I will obediently leave this land. But before that. There is something I wish to confirm.”
Bagras then turned his gaze back to me.
“I am of the Dragon Race from the Grabarios mountain range. Do you know of the Grabarios mountain range?”
His gaze remained fixed on me, but Bagras’s question was directed at everyone.
“Unfortunately, we know nothing of our kin outside of Dragon Peak.”
Id’s reply was met with a slight, disappointed slump of Bagras’s shoulders, who then began to speak.
“The Grabarios mountain range is a mountain range with a succession of volcanoes that pierce the clouds, far to the east of here.”
The Grabarios mountain range, from the summit of its highest volcano, one can see the sea at the eastern edge of the continent.
Although not as rugged as Dragon Peak, the Grabarios mountain range has many volcanoes, and areas where the Dragon Race and Dragon Folk can live are limited.
Those who live in the Grabarios mountain range live by competing for the scarce habitable areas.
So Bagras spoke.
We quietly listened to Bagras’s tale, wondering what he intended to convey.
“Among them, we have been plagued for ages by the existence of what is called the Grabarios Great Volcano.”
No one uttered irresponsible remarks like, “Why don’t you just move?”
The people of the Dragon Race understand deeply that they cannot abandon the traditions inherited from their ancestors and the world they were born and raised in, even if there is harsh nature and dangerous predators that require vigilance.
“The Grabarios Great Volcano repeatedly erupts catastrophically. And each time, the terrain changes, and we have to search for new places to live.”
Limited habitable areas. Changing terrain and environment with each eruption.
Constant conflict arises in the Grabarios mountain range.
Nevertheless, the Dragon Race continues to live in the Grabarios mountain range and etch their history.
“We are not just tossed about by the wonders of nature. Our ancestors found a way to calm the Grabarios Great Volcano.”
But that, Bagras said with a look of bitter regret, was none other than a curse.
“The Grabarios Great Volcano craves sacrifices. We must offer a sacrifice to the crater of the Grabarios Great Volcano once a year.”
The word “sacrifice” made Shooting Star Sama and the others flinch.
“The Dragon Race and the Dragon Folk. In the Grabarios mountain range, we are in conflict solely for our survival, but when it comes to sacrifices, we cooperate.”
“What do you mean?” Id asked. Bagras replied.
“The Dragon Race and the Dragon Folk are to alternate offering sacrifices each year.”
Everyone was speechless, learning that the custom of sacrifice in the Grabarios mountain range was not solely a tradition of the Dragon Race.
“So, the eruptions of that mountain range are a matter of life and death for you. But that makes me curious. Even while offering sacrifices every year, hasn’t the Grabarios Great Volcano continued to erupt catastrophically?”
That’s right. Bagras himself said it repeated catastrophic eruptions.
As a desperate measure to calm the catastrophic eruption, they had to resort to offering sacrifices every year, right?
But for it to keep erupting catastrophically, isn’t there a contradiction?
Bagras nodded at Id’s question.
“Yes. Even if sacrifices are offered, that alone does not calm the Grabarios Great Volcano. And I was once a sacrifice offered to the Grabarios Great Volcano.”
Could it be that Bagras himself was a sacrifice!?
“This is what I want to say. Once a year, the Grabarios Great Volcano desires a sacrifice. The sacrifice thrown into the crater as an offering calms the Grabarios Great Volcano with its life. No, it takes on the role of calming it. But most do not succeed.”
“They don’t succeed, and so the catastrophic eruptions don’t stop? And you? Sacrifices give their lives, right? Then why are you – alive and outside the mountain range?”
Bagras answered Id’s question without looking away from me.
“My existence. The meaning of inheriting the surname Grabarios. I will teach you. Do you think the Grabarios Great Volcano is just any volcano?”
“Is it not?” Id retorted. Bagras shook his head.
“No. What the Grabarios Great Volcano erupts is not lava or rocks. It is dragon veins!”
“What!?”
Even Id gasped at this.
“A catastrophic eruption of the Grabarios Great Volcano is, in other words, a catastrophic eruption of dragon veins. The sacrifices offered to the volcano mean those who undertake the trial to calm the dragon veins!”
A catastrophic eruption of dragon veins.
Is that a more large-scale phenomenon of the rampage of dragon veins flowing through the earth, like the one Bagras showed earlier!?
And it has been happening since ancient times?
Does such a place exist in the world?
I discreetly glanced at Lord Reed, and he nodded slightly.
“The meaning of me, who was thrown into the crater as an offering, being alive like this is proof that I swallowed the raging dragon veins of the Grabarios Great Volcano and calmed the catastrophic eruption. The one who calms the catastrophic eruption of the Grabarios Great Volcano is the one who inherits the surname Grabarios!”
Bagras declared proudly.
But at the same time, a shadow fell upon his eyes.
“…However, no matter how spirited I may have been, ultimately, only temporary calmness can be brought to the catastrophic eruptions of the Grabarios Great Volcano. That is why I left the mountain range. To find a Dragon Race or Dragon Folk who surpasses me and to eternally quell the catastrophic eruptions of the Grabarios Great Volcano.”
However, no one appeared who could surpass Bagras, who violently manipulated dragon veins and unleashed infinite dragon energy.
Eventually, Bagras began to forget the reason for leaving the mountain range and became addicted to power.
“Until I reached this mountain range, I seemed to have forgotten my journey’s purpose. But thanks to you, I have remembered my original aspiration!”
Bagras’s eyes had been fixed on me the entire time.
“I arrogantly believed that dragon veins were meant to be manipulated by brute force. But you were different. You manipulated the dragon veins with unknown methods and unknown gentleness, and effortlessly quelled the eruption. You…”
“I see,” everyone must have nodded inwardly.
“You could…”
“…I’m sorry, that’s probably impossible.”
I interrupted Bagras’s words and crushed his hopes.
Bagras froze, his eyes wide with shock at my denial.
To the stunned Bagras, I said.
“I believe I correctly recognize my own abilities. That is why I know. Even if I went to your hometown, I probably wouldn’t be of any help.”
“But you are a messenger of the Dragon God…”
“Yes. That is precisely why, as a messenger of the Dragon God, I cannot say ‘it’s possible’ lightly.”
Perhaps, if my family and I cooperate and carefully face it over a long period, we might be able to stop the catastrophic eruptions of the Grabarios Great Volcano someday.
But what if problems arise in our hometown or Dragon Peak during that time?
What if something happens to the people of the Forbidden Territory or the Shooting Stars we are looking after?
“Unfortunately, we are not saviors of the world who can do anything. We can only get involved with those we can support.”
Therefore, I cannot easily meddle in the problems of distant foreign lands.
We cannot get involved with the slave issue in the Demon Race’s Country, the issues of the human culture sphere far to the west, or the problems of the far eastern reaches at present.
As I spoke, Bagras bit his lip in frustration.
“To come this far… and salvation is right before my eyes…!
Why can’t I reach out for salvation!!”
To Bagras’s desperate cry, Id shouted!
“You idiot!!”
Bagras looked away from me and up at Id to the roar that shook Dragon Peak’s atmosphere.
“Because Elnea is a messenger of the Dragon God and can freely manipulate dragon veins, you want him to save you? Don’t make me laugh! You yourself are the Great Warrior who inherits the surname Grabarios, aren’t you? Then, you first try your best to deal with it! Don’t immediately seek salvation elsewhere, try to deal with it on your own!! That’s the pride of a Great Warrior, isn’t it?… But well, if even then you can’t do anything, you can visit Dragon Peak again. At that time, it won’t be Elnea, but your brethren on Dragon Peak who will lend you their strength.”
To do that, you first need to learn proper etiquette as a member of the Dragon Race, Id laughed heartily.
